Prime Time Replay:
Michelle M. Weil, Ph.D., and Larry D. Rosen, Ph.D.
authors of Technostress
MsgId: *infinities(68)
Date: Fri Dec 5 20:57:40 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Good evening and welcome to INFINITIES chat in OMNI Internet! Tonight our guests are the authors of a super new book, "TECHNOSTRESS," from John Wiley & Sons, Inc (Oct. 1997). Please welcome Michelle M. Weil, Ph.D., and Larry D. Rosen, Ph.D. Dr. Weil is a clinical psychologist and recognized expert on technophobia who has consulted with large high-tech firms; Dr. Rosen is Past Chair and Professor of Psychology at California State University and co-founder, with his wife (Ms. Weil) of BYTE BACK TECHNOLOGY CONSULTING SERVICES, a firm that specializes in helping corporations and individuals cope with the psychological impact of technology. Thanks for being here tonight, Drs Weil and Rosen!
MsgId: *infinities(69)
Date: Fri Dec 5 20:59:49 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
Glad to be online with you. We would like questions or comments about TechnoStress.
MsgId: *infinities(70)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:00:23 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Let's start be defining Technostress. Technology was supposed to help us by simplifying our lives. What went wrong?
MsgId: *infinities(72)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:05:50 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
I see technostress as an experience that all of us are having by virtue of living in this technological era. If you are comfortable with technology, you have some of your own experiences, such as needing to learn new platforms or software at a rapid pace. Or, you are the one that receives 50 emails per day and spend so much time answering them that you are out of time. If you are less confident with technology, as 85% of the population is, you have a wider variety of technostresses that intimidate, frighten, and downright scare you.What went wrong is that the same technologies that were supposed to help us and save us time actually caused us stress. Many of us felt that we had to have all the newer technologies and had to race to keep up. The time savings seemed to just disappear.
MsgId: *infinities(73)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:06:36 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Is technology still stressful when you're having fun? Suppose you're playing a computer game that revs your blood pressure, pulse and respiration in the high-stress range - but you're exhilarated and having the time of your life. Does that kind of tech application count in the accumulation of things that make up technostress?
MsgId: *infinities(75)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:09:52 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
The expereience is not necessarily bad unless you go overboard. Staying too long in an overstimulated state definitely leads to TechnoStress. It disrupts your concentration, memory and sleep unless you set clear boundaries remembering your human needs.
MsgId: *infinities(76)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:10:59 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
And setting those boundaries isn't always easy. Family conflicts can arise, can't they?
MsgId: *infinities(77)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:16:11 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
Absolutely correct. It is very important that parents keep a supervisory watch over their children's activities. This means that they need to learn the technology and not abdicate the responsibility to their children. We are hearing the horror stories in the media of the perils of the internet. Parents need to approach their schools and ask for classes to learn what their children are learning, and on the same equipment. They need to set clear limits and boundaries about the time spent on computers and where and what their children do. It can be a great family adventure as well.
MsgId: *infinities(78)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:20:26 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Even now, we're experiencing Technostress as our Web Site is balking at accepting our messages.
MsgId: *infinities(79)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:22:31 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
We were wondering where you went. The phone just rang, and we were sure it was you telling us that you had been kicked off the web . . . but it was an insurance salesman! Two different forms of technostress. One, wondering about you . . . second, the intrusion that we did not want.
MsgId: *infinities(80)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:22:32 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Even with boundary-setting, we can still get caught up in the web of technology by things such as software that doesn't work the way it's supposed to or battery failure at the worst possible moment, or equipment crashes. Yet we are stuck with having to use technology. What can we do?
MsgId: *infinities(82)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:25:04 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
We are strong advocates of technology. BUT, we also are clear that you should only use the technology that works for you and leave the rest alone. We caution people to not fall into that trap of having to keep up with the newest and greatest and forget that what you are using is actually doing exactly what you need and want it to do. Also, don't forget how to do things the non-technological (old fashioned) way. That way when the technology crashes you are not left high and dry!
MsgId: *infinities(83)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:27:18 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Like not being able to balance your checkbook without a calculator?Seriously, though, there are some technology-related jobs that require you to have constant access to the Internet or other reliable techno-stuff always available. Is there a way to minimize stress when you're stuck in the middle of mega-tech?
MsgId: *infinities(85)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:32:03 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
It is so important to learn and practice our basic skills. We need to remember how long to bake a turkey in the oven, how to add and subtract without a calculator, how to write a note or letter by hand. Technology is a gift, and a tool, but it may not always be available. We need to remember how to research a topic in the library ( the real one) and not just use the internet.
MsgId: *infinities(86)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:32:13 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
[We're having some Technostress tonight with the slowness of this server... apologies to our audience and guests! ]
MsgId: *infinities(87)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:36:20 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
The tough part is how to balance your expectations that the technology will always be there with the reality that sometimes it is not. We have seen too many people get way over stressed by their Internet server being unavailable or their hard drive crashing. Another issue that we talk about in TechnoStress (by the way, you can visit our web site at www.technostress.com)is how while computers and technology can multitask all the time, we as humans cannot. We end up, however, being lulled into trying to keep up and emulate technology and do a zillion things at the same time. The result is what we call Multitasking Madness.
MsgId: *infinities(88)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:38:10 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Experts are expressing concern about the emphasis schools are placing on learning computers instead of mastering the basics. What can parents do to help their children get a balanced approach (in spite of whatever emphasis the school might wish to stress)?
MsgId: *infinities(90)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:43:05 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
We are a little out of sync but let me answer that issue. We are strong believers in the basics of education. Technology can be a terrific augment to the basics but children need to learn through manipulatives and practice. The computer should not replace excellence in teaching, or of hands on materials in the classroom. It is another dimension to utilize, but should not be viewed as a streamlined replacement of teachers or core concepts.
MsgId: *infinities(92)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:46:11 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
We do seem a bit out of synch and our server is not permitting us to open the room to visitor questions . . . our apologies!
MsgId: *infinities(93)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:46:54 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
In the chapter of TechnoStress titled "Two Kids, A Dog and A Computer" we talk about how parents need to not view the computer as either a babysitter or an inherently educational tool for their children. It can be, but parents need to be aware of what the technology offers and what it can do. For example, each school should develop an Acceptable Use Plan (AUP) that is sent home to the parents and signed by parents and child to spell out how technology will be used in the school and what will happen if the child chooses to use it for other purposes. We also encourage children and parents to have regular "Family Pow Wows" to discuss what they are learning from the technology and what problems they are encountering. By the way, our 10 year old son is wathcing this interview... and loving it!
MsgId: *infinities(94)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:47:06 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Some people rebel against Technostress with movements such as Voluntary Simplicity - dumping or at least restricting all non-essentials . . . whether you're talking about technotools or a second car or a vacation trip - anything that complicates life. What's your view of this type of reaction to Technostress. Is it a step in the right direction or off the path?
MsgId: *infinities(96)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:49:05 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
"Hi" to your son! :D
MsgId: *infinities(97)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:51:51 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
These types of reactions are evidence of TechnoStress. We believe in technology but we believe more in humanity, and our purpose is to help people stay sane and feel in control in this technological revolution. There is no problem in banishing all technology from your life for periods of time. In fact, we know many people who take vacations in places where there is no technology because it lets them feel inaccessible and there is a peacefulness to that. However, it is not a long-term solution and the tips we give in TechnoStress enable readers to find a comfortable fit between themselves and technology.
MsgId: *infinities(98)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:55:00 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Before we close for the night (and it's another symptom of Technostress to see that our hour has flown by so quickly), please tell our audience who'll be reading this transcript in our archives (and not seeing the billboard page) how they can find out more about you, your work, and your book . . . please give the URL to your website.And, last question: What's next on your agenda now that you've completed this great book?
MsgId: *infinities(100)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:58:26 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
We would invite readers to visit our website at www.technostress.com and to look for our book either in Barnes and Noble, Bookstar, Borders or any major bookstore or order it from the publisher, John Wiley and Sons at 1-800-USWILEY. When people visit our website they can email us and they can also participate in rating TechnoStress-Free and TechnoStress-Ful products in their lives. We welcome comments as readers notice the TechnoStress in their lives.
MsgId: *infinities(101)
Date: Fri Dec 5 21:59:35 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Thanks very much. I can heartily recommend the book and website to everyone. If you're using a computer, you need to see this book -- and even if you're not a cybernaut, read the book!Thanks very much, Drs. Weil and Rosen, for being our guests in Infinities tonight. That's all the time we have for this session, but we'll see you all next week and every Friday for Infinities Chat in OMNI. Good night, everyone!
MsgId: *infinities(103)
Date: Fri Dec 5 22:01:12 PST 1997
From: Weil_Rosen_TechnoStress At: 166.55.20.24
We continue to consult with individuals and business to assist them in overcoming TechnoStress and in creating TechnoStress-Free products that will increase their market share by 85%. We will continue to write books to help people to understand they are not alone in their negative or uncomfortable experiences with technology and encourage them to become more proactive and confident just because they and technology do not mix it is not their fault.
MsgId: *infinities(104)
Date: Fri Dec 5 22:02:04 PST 1997
From: OMNI_Moderator_Noonan At: 12.67.69.16
Great closing message -- Thanks again for being here tonight!
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